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The vagina is a vital organ of your reproductive system, and keeping it clean and tidy is essential for a woman's healthy life. Intimate hygiene is an essential part of your daily routine. You need to take care of and maintain the vaginal area to ensure that you are healthy and happy. The Vagina is made up of different folds and crevices, which can be easily irritated by some fabrics or soap. It can also get infected if there is an increase in the number of bacteria in the Vagina. Keeping a clean and healthy vagina is essential for overall health and well-being. Both men and women should practice intimate hygiene regularly to avoid infections, yeast infections, vaginal odour, etc. andMe's intimate wash range will meet all your requirements if you're looking for true, sensitive feminine hygiene products. andMe Intimate wipes and wash consist of the goodness of tea tree oil that prevents UTI and maintains vaginal pH. It is 100% vegan and consists of no artificial chemicals or fragrances.

Intimate hygiene, as the name rightly suggests, is all about keeping your privates clean and hygienic. Unfortunately, many women don't know the difference between intimate and regular hygiene and fail to follow the basic rules to maintain their vaginal health. Clear, white vaginal discharges are normal. Your Vagina needs more hygiene than your hands! Use products such as intimate washes to cleanse away bacteria promoting bad odours, help balance your vaginal pH level and fight off vaginal infections such as cystitis.

Some mistakes people make while taking care of intimate hygiene:

Overbathing:

Don't clean your vulva more than once a day; it might irritate the skin and cause severe issues in future. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and doesn't need any products for further cleaning. A healthy vagina naturally has the slightest odour. Using harsh soaps or chemical products can harm your delicate vagina skin and make it home to harmful bacteria.

Tips for a healthy vagina

- Use condoms or any precautions while having sex to prevent STIs.

- Keep the vaginal area dry; change your underwear once daily, especially when you are menstruating.

- Urinate and clean your vagina after having sex.

- Wipe from the front to back after peeing.

- Use lukewarm water to wash the vulva.

- Avoid wearing thongs.

- Touching it with dry hands:

Wash your hands properly before touching your vagina. Dirty hands are an open invitation to all harmful bacteria. Even if you use a loofah while bathing, ensure it is properly cleaned.

Shaving pubic hair with an old razor:

Use a sharp razor to clean your pubic hair and throw it away after 3 months. Old and dull razor blades are ineffective and can only cause rashes and razor burns. Old and blunt razors help the harmful bacteria to be stored in your private parts, especially if you are using them for a long time. Try to change your blades or razors frequently and use an unscented gel or cream; even paraben and sulphate-free body soap would work. You can also try laser hair removal or bikini wax. Make sure to do it frequently to prevent dense growth.

Wearing non-breathable underwear:

Wearing tight underwear might give a good shape, but it harms your vagina. You should let your vagina breathe; otherwise, it will cause more sweat and marks in your intimate region. Your vagina is way more sensitive than the other parts of your body. Extremely loose undies can increase the risk of rashes and vaginal infections, and the elasticity is not that long-lasting. On the other hand, tight underwear can cause more friction in the groin area and cause vaginal darkening. Also, uncomfortable clothes like light pants or body-hugging dresses can create more chafing and friction and make you feel uncomfortable, itchy, and burning down there.

Wearing sanitary pads or tampons for a longer time:



Wearing any pad or tampon for a long time can be a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and fungus. In addition, it makes your vagina prone to bacterial growth, foul odour, and infection. Therefore, changing tampons and sanitary pads are recommended every 4-8 hours. Also, wearing them for such a long time can cause overflow. You can also switch from pads to panty-liners when you have a lesser flow of blood.

Too much douching:

The vagina cleanses itself, so there's no need to douche your vagina. In addition, Douches and deodorant sprays can irritate the delicate skin of the vagina. The vulva, the outer part of your vagina, needs extra care because that's the most sensitive area to catch bacteria and germs. Using harsh chemicals in soaps can also cause skin diseases in your vagina and even affect your reproductive health. Instead, use a mild paraben-free soap and warm water to clean your vulva. Avoid chemical douches because they disturb your vagina level and also kill the good bacteria that cause irritation. 

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